BETTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8178, 20 July 1912, Page 13

BETTY

Headers must uot think the abovenamed was an old lady or a girl. No, Betty was just a plain white Leghorn chick when I had her given me as a present. She' was then just about three weeks old, a thin, delicate little chick just able to chirp and run about. 1 took it and kept it in a little box with warm flannel to keep it warm, as it was uot very strong on its legs. Then after about a month it got more frisky and able to follow me about. Then one day my little brother came on the scene and accidentally trod ..on its leg. That

made it worse, but I gave it my best attention, nursing and feeding it two or three times a day. After a week or two it gradually got stronger and followed mo everywhere. It would have even gone to school had it not been kept in. Papa often said it would be found dead some morning, but I did not want to lose dear Betty, so patiently tended her in every way. As time went on she got wonderfully tame and well and grow to quite a young lady pullet, too large to keep in a box, so a house was built outside for Betty and made as comfortable as could be. Every time X went near she was always ready to welcome me and have a trot around, running after me like a pet dog, and if I just called her from the window she would get so excited, trying every way possible to find a way out to look for me. Time went on, and Betty was some seven months old when, lo and behold ! I found she had laid her first nice white egg, of which she seemed very proud {needless to add I was proud of it, too). For many days she never missed laying an egg. One day I declared she had laid two, but papa said it could not be; I must have seen double. She laid altogether some 141 eggs, then poor old Betty got sick, or some nasty dog had managed to snap at her. I took her in again, nursed her, bathing her sore parts two or three times a day, and did everything possible to .save her life, as she nad been such a faithful friend, but, alas, nothing seemed to do her any good, and she passed peacefully away on a Sunday morning. I buried her in the garden with many regrets, as we were so much attached to each other. Now this little story shows other little girls and boys what kindness will do if only a poor little white Leghorn chick. 1 have had my reward in all those beautiful eggs and in Betty being so fond of me, feeding out of my hand, and following me and playing with me like a pet dog would do. I shall never forget Betty and her loving ways. -CONNIE.